Spatial and temporal thyrocyte response to TSH: a computer-assisted image analysis

Abstract

Pseudopods at the apical pole of porcine thyroid monolayers in culture were considered as reflecting individual thyrocyte responses to thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation. Scanning electron microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis showed that whatever TSH stimulation was used, the pseudopods were characterized by two populations: P1 with small diameters (2 microns) and P2 with greater diameters (5 microns). The density of P1 rapidly increased to reach a plateau, while P2 continuously increased during stimulation. Two-dimensional pseudopod patterns were compared with random point distributions by means of two topographical parameters: the interpseudopod distances and angles. A factorial analysis of experimental distribution of pseudopods obtained after increasing stimulation times displayed a shift from a nonrandom (10-20 min) to a random (60-90 min) distribution. Clusters of three pseudopods characterized by short distances (6-9 microns) and equilateral organization (angles 40-60 degrees) were observed after a 10-min stimulation. These results suggested that early thyrocyte response to TSH stimulation is characterized by interrelations between three adjoining cells, with the thyrocyte response later appearing as random.